Controlling mechanism for doors and the like



F. N. PEARSON. CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR DOORS AND THE LIKE.

, APPLICATION FILED SEPT-'.28, 1916.

1,335,750. Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- F. N. PEARSON.

CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR DOORS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 28, I916- Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

,01 a3 as" EAOQ4\ n 64 25 .95 20 23 i if as" 'M/ II FRED N. PEARSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR DOORS AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

Application filed September 28, 1916. Serial No. 122,615.

templating mechanism adapted to be electrically operated and in series with an electric motor whereby doors or transoms may be opened and closed by means of electric pushbuttons connected in series with a controlling electric circuit.

The invention, as exemplified in the drawings, contemplates a plurality of push-buttons or switches arranged in series with an electric circuit adapted to energize a selective solenoid, which, in turn, is adapted to control what may be termed a direction switch arran ed in series with the electric control circuit of a motor.

My invention contemplates a construction wherein means are employed which will permit the manual operation of the doors in the event that the electrically controlled mechanism has become in any way affected.

The objects of the invention and its advantages will be more fully comprehended from the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates the adaptation of my invention to swinging or hinged doors, the upper portion of the doors and my improved mechanism being shown in elevation.

Fig. is a View taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the ar- TO'WS.

Fig. is a detail perspective view of one end of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1, showing the lever or arm mechanism for transmit-ting motion from the main power shaft to the door.

Fig. l is a top plan view of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1, showing the door-casing in section and illustrating the circuitcontrol or limit switches secured on the inner side of the casing.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic View of the electric circuit and connections with solenoids for controlling the direction switch, as well as the push-button arrangement which may be employed.

In the exemplification of the invention, as illustrated, 10, illustrates double doors hinged at their sides so as to swing in the usual manner. The upper cross member of the door-casing is shown provided with a suitable bracket or support 11 on which is mounted an electrically driven motor 12 provided with the usual lead lines 13 of electrical circuits, with suitable switches, and means for controlling a second set of circuits whereby the respective switch to be actuated is controlled and the direction of operation of the motor determined.

The niotor shaft is provided with a pinion 14 which meshes with gear 15 secured to a counter-shaft 16 which is provided with a worm 17 meshing with a worm-gear 18 keyed or otherwise secured to a main operating shaft 19 disposed lengthwise of the upper door casing, towit transversely of the door-opening, and suitably supported and held in place by means of brackets 20. Where double swinging doors are to be op erated, both ends of the main shaft 19 are provided with worms 21, 21, which, in turn, engage with worm-gears 22, 22 mounted on vertically disposed counter-shafts 23, 23, the worms and gears being of right and left threads at opposite ends, see Fig. 4. The vertically disposed counter-shafts 23 are suitably mounted in brackets 24 secured to the door-casing, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. As shown in Fig. 1, the vertically disposed counter-shafts 23, at both ends of the main shaft, and their correlated parts or elements, are identical, with the exception that certain portions now to be described are disposed in opposite directions because they are intended to control oppositely swinging doors.

It will be understood, of course, that the vertically disposed counter-shafts 23 are held in their respective brackets against longitudinal movement, but permitted to be rotated or oscillated through the action of the meshing worm-gears previously described. The lower end of each vertically disposed counter-shaft 23 is shown extended beyond the bracket 24 and there provided *ith a slotted arm or member 25, as more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4; while the upper end of each vertically disposed counter-shaft 23 preferably extends above the bracket 24 and there provided with an arm or projection 26 secured to the countershafts 23 in a prearranged angular manner relative to the slotted arm 25, as shown in to each other, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4. I

Secured at a suitable point to the upper end of each door is a bracket 27, 27, each provided with a vertically disposed spring- 7 controlled plunger 28 to which is secured an angular arm or member'29; the spring 30 being adapted to not only maintain the plunger 28 in the raised position shown in the drawings, but also hold the arm 29 a slight distance from the door as shown. The spring 30 also provides a yielding relation between the slotted arm 25 and the door, through the medium of bracket 27, so asto compensate for slight excess rotation of main-shaft 19- after the door has reached the limit'of movement this being especially desirable where double doors are employed with the one door moving slightly in advance of the other which may be provided with the usual overlapping strip or edge as disclosed in Fig. 1.

In. the preferred construction of the invention, the arm 29 is provided with a pintle-carrying arm 31 preferably remov ably secured thereto, as shown, and with the upper end of the pintle disposed in the slot of slotted. member 25. As is evident from the construction, rotation of main shaft 19, through the action of the motor 12, will cause the'verti cally disposed counter-shafts 23, 23 to be rotated through the action of the intermeshing worm-gears, so that the slotted members or arms 25, 25, keyed to the vertically disposed counter-shafts,will be oscillated or swung away from the upper doorcasing and thereby exert a pull on the pintle arms 31, causing the doors to be swung open; the loosely mounted plunger 28 and the slottedrelation between arms25 and pintles 31 compensating for the difference in the extent of movements or arcs of circles described by the respective parts and thus enable proper operation of the door At suitable points in the door-casing and above the main shaft 19, I provide plungers or push-members 32, 32 which extend through proper openings in the door-casing, as shown in Fig. 4. The members 32 and 32 are adapted to control the normally contacting spring switches 33, 33 mounted on the opposite side of the door-casing, as shown in Fig. 4; one spring-member of each switch being preferably extended and provided with an engaging point 34 arranged in alinement with the plungers or pushmembers 32 and 32 respectively; these switches 33, 33 being arranged in series with the electric circuit of the solenoids as diagrammatically disclosed in Fig. 5.

The electric circuit and arrangement disclosed is of a well known and usual type, comprising the two service or feed wires 35, leading from a suitable source or electrical energy and terminating in contact points adapted to be engaged by the switch 36 for controlling the electrical circuit. With the switch closed, as shown in Fig. 5, the ourrent flows through line 80, which continues 7 40 is likewise connected with a line 82,

(which is also one of the-armature terminals) by means of connection a and completes the circuit through'member 40 when member 41 is actuated. When either controllingmemb r 40 or 41 is,cut in, it completes a. circuit extending from the switch 36 through line 80, through the respective controlling. member (either 40 or4l, which ever happensto have been actuated by the respective solenoids 38 and 39) and by reason of the: contact. induced between the. switches 37- or 37 and respective terminal of line 83, which, in turn, is connected with switch 36. In other words, ifmember 41, for example, has been actuatedor attracted by its solenoid 39, so as to bring direction switch 37' into contact with the adjacent terminal of line 83, it is, evident that the circuit is passing from switch 36 through line 80, member 40, wire a, line, 82 (one of the armature terminals) thence through line 81 (the other armature. terminal) direction switch 37*, into line 83 and thence to the opposite side or blade of switch 36 and its respective lead 35. It member 40 is actuated by its solenoid 38, the current will travel through line 80, member 41, wire, 79, line 81 (armature terminal), line 82 (other armature terminal) direction switch 37, into line 83 connected with switch 36. Branch line 84 extends'from lead 80 and is common to the engaging points 34 of both spring switches 33 and 33*; while line 85 extends from the opposite side or member of switch 33 and goes through solenoid 39 to wire 85 which also constitutes a contact point for controlling member 41'. Line 86 extends from the opposite side or member of switch 33 and continues through solenoid 38 to wire 87 which constitutes a contact point for controlling member 40. Wire or ed by push button 43. The opposite con,-

tact points of both pushbuttons 43 and 44 are connected by wire 88, (common to both buttons) which connects with line 83 which is a continuation of line 83. For example, when push button 43 is forced to make contact, it will complete a circuit between wires 87, 88, solenoid 38, line 86 through switch 33, line 84, line 80, switch 36 and one of the leads 35. Operation of push button 44 will complete a circuit through wire 85, solenoid 39, line 85, through switch 33, thence through line 84, line leading to switch 36, and line 88 connected with the opposite contact point of push button 44 and inturn connected with line 83 '(a continuation of line 83) connected with the opposite side of switch 36. Line 83 is a continuation of line 80 through the shunt field of the motor to line 83 and thus provides a complete circuit.

.Vhen push button 43 is actuated, solenoid 38 will be magnetized, by reason of the completion of the circuit previously traced, attracting member 40 causing a contact to be formed with lines 87 and 83, and remains in contact until the circuit is broken by the operation of limit switch 33 which demagnetizes the solenoid because of break in connection-between wires 84 and 86. hen push button 44 is operated, solenoid 39 is magnetized and in turn attracts member 41 causing contact with wires 85 and 83 and remains in contact until this circuit is.

broken by operation of the limit switch 33, causing the solenoid 39 to become demagnetized by reason of break in connection between wires 84 and 85.

The shunt break 37 may be arranged in parallel with either switch 37 or switch 37 so that when either switch 37 or 37* is actuated, the circuit will be completed by means of either one of said switches and thereby also complete the circuit of shunt brake 37 by means of contact with line 89 which connects with the shunt brake 37 and which in turn is connected with line 80. The shunt brake 37 may either be on the motor shaft or operating shaft 19 and be of a well known spring-controlled type adapted to stop the motor or shaft 19 instantly when the circuit is broken by either switch 37 or switch 37.

At a suitable accessible point, I provide push-button switches, as shown at 42 in Fig. 1, preferably of the spring type which will be returned to normal position; the one button, as for example 43, being adapted to control a circuit whereby the solenoid 38 is energized thereby attracting armature or member 40, which, in the particular exemplification, is adapted to close the circuit through direction switch 37 leading to the motor 12 so that the latter will operate and rotatemain shaft 19 in a direction which will cause the doors to open; while the pushbutton 44 is adapted to close a circuit whereswung into a position which will completely open the doors, one of the projections or arms 26, towit the one to the right, in the exemplification shown in Fig. 1, will contact with the plunger or push-member 32. Inward movement of plunger 32 will cause it to engage with projection 34 of the switch 33 mounted on the opposite side of the doorcasing as disclosed in Fig. 4, forcing the switch-members apart, thereby opening the circuit of the solenoid 38, causing armature 40 and direction switch 37 to be released and operation of the motor to cease.

\Vhen the slotted levers or arms 25 have been moved so as to completely close the doors, as illustrated in Fig. l, the projection or arm 26, at the left in the exemplification shown in Fig. 1, will then have been brought into contact with its respective push-member or plunger 32, forcing the latter inward so as to open the spring-switch 33 at the left in Fig. 4, thereby breaking or opening the circuit controlling solenoid 39, thereby releasing armature 41 and direction switch 37', and causing further operation of the motor to cease and therefore also prevent rotation of main shaft 19.

The plungers or vertically disposed members 28 have been shown in the nature of eye-bolts held upwardly through the action of the springs 30, thus maintaining the pintle-carrying arm 31 in proper relation with the slotted levers or arms 25. I provide this yielding connection for the reasons previously described and also to permit the plungers 28 to be drawn downward manually in the event that the electrical circuit or motor should meet with a mishap or become inoperative. By thus disengaging the pintles from the slotted arms or levers 25, it is evident that the doors will thereby become disengaged from the motor-driven shaft 19 and permit their being opened in the usual manner.

As is readily apparent from the invention as shown and described, it is adapted for use in connection with large doors or transoins such as are employed on garages, freight stations, warehouses and the like; the invention being readily adaptable to differently constructed and differently operated doors without necessitating such alter ations in the general construction as would constitute a departure from the spirit of my invention, and I do not wish to be under; stood, therefore, as limiting myself to the exact construction shown and described.

What I claim is 1. Controlling mechanism of the class described,' comprising, in combination with a door, a main operating shaft disposed transversely above the'door, a slotted member arranged to. osclllate about an axis disposed perpendicular to said main shaft, wormgearing intermediate of said shaft and slotted member whereby the latter is oscillated whereby said magnetic means are controlled,

and means intermediate of said slotted member and said second mentioned means whereby a portion of the second mentioned means is actuated and the magnetic means affected when" the door has swung predetermined distances. 7 2; Controllingmechanism of the class described, comprising, in combination with a door, a rotatablemainshaft disposed transversely of the door, a member geared to said shaft and arranged to oscillate about a overtically disposed aXis when said shaft rotates, said member bein arranged to extend substantially paralle with the door, means mounted on the door and adapted to control the latter, said means having a flexible connection with the door and slot and pin connect-ion with said member whereby excess oscillation of said member will be taken up by said connection, an electrically driven motor operatively connected with said shaft, electrical mechanism arranged in series with the motor, means whereby selective portions of said electrical mechanism may be controlled and the motor driven in the desired direction, and means operatively connected with said first mentioned. member and adapted to be moved into operative relation with a portion of said second means and actuate the same whereoy said electrical mechanism will beaffected and the current to the motor discontinued. V

3. Controlling mechanism of the class described, comprising, in combination with a swinging door, a main shaft rotatably mounted above the door, oscillatingly mounted means geared to said shaft, means yieldingly secured to the door and having slot and pin connection with said oscillatinglymounted means whereby oscillation of said first means will cause the door to swing to open or closed position, an electrically driven motor operatively connected with said shaft, electric mechanism arranged in series with the motor, a plurality of solenoid circuits including a plurality of pushbuttons whereby selective portions of said electric mechanism are actuated and the mo tor induced to operate in the desired direction, a second set of push-button controlled switches "arranged in said solenoid circuits, and means, arranged. to travel in advance of and controlled by the 'oscillatingly mounted means, adapted to actuate said second set of push-button control switches when the door reaches either one of two predetermined positions whereby the solenoid circuits will be opened and operation of the motor interrupted; 1

4-. Controlling mechanism of the class described, comprising, in combination with a pair of swinging doors, a rotatable main shaft transversely mounted above the, doors, oscillatinglymounted means geared to the ends of said shaft and above the doors, means flexibly secured to each door and having yielding operative relation with its ad jacent oscillatingly mounted means, where by oscillation of said first means will swing both doors to open or closed position and excess movements of the main shaft taken up by said second means, anv electrically 7 button control switches, one-of said switches being operated when the doors reach a closed position while the other switch is operated when the doors reach an open position, whereby the solenoid circuits will be opened and operation of the motor interrupted.

5. Controlling mechanism of the class described, comprising a main shaft rotatably' mounted above the door, an oscillating member geared to said shaft, means having a flexible connection with the door and slot and pin connection with said oscillating member, a motor geared to said main shaft, electric circuits including a pair of direction switches whereby the motor is set into operation in the desired'direction, push-buttons arranged in series withelectro-magnets, adapted to control said direction switches, a pair of spring switches arranged in series with said electr c-magnets, and means adapted to be actuated by said oscillating member when the latter reaches the limit of its oscillatory movements whereby the spring switches are operated and the elec tro-magnets deenergized, said direction switches afiected and the operation of the motor interrupted.

6. Controlling mechanism of the class described, comprising, in combination with a swinging door, a rotatable shaft mounted above the door andprovided with wormgearing, an electric motor operatively con nected with said shaft, a member mounted so as to oscillate about a vertically disposed axis and provided with gearing meshing with the worm-gearing on said shaft, said member being provided with an elongated slot and with a projection disposed a pre determined extent in advance of the travel of said member, a door-controlling pintle yieldingly mounted on the door and disposed in the slot of said member, means whereby said dooncontrolling pintle may be disengaged from said member, electric circuits including a pair of direction switches whereby the motor is set into operation in the desired direction, push-buttons arranged in series with electro-magnets adapted to control said direction switches, a pair of spring switches arranged in series with said electromagnets, the spring switches being adapted to be aflected by sald projection on said first mentioned member and the electro-magnets deenergized, said direction switches afiected and the operation of the motor interrupted.

7 Controlling mechanism of the class described, comprising, in combination with a door, a main shaft rotatably mounted above the door, means mounted above the door and geared to said shaft so as to oscillate, said means comprising a pair of radially disposed arms arranged at predetermined degrees apart in the direction of movement, door-controlling means flexibly mounted on said door and comprising an arm arranged in yielding operative relation with one of said arms of the first mentioned means, the door-controlling means being mounted so as to permit it to be drawn away from said arm of the first means and permit operation or" the door independent of the controlling mechanism, a motor geared to said main shaft, electric circuits including a pair of direction switches whereby the motor is set into operation in the desired direction, pushbuttons arranged in series with electromagnets, adapted to control said direction switches, a pair of spring switches arranged in series with said electro-magnets, and means adapted to be actuated by one oi the arms of said oscillating means when said arm reaches the limit of its oscillatory movements whereby the spring switches are operated and the electro-magnets deenergized, said direction switches affected and the operation of the motor interrupted.

FRED N. PEARSON.

Witnesses GEORGE I-IEIDMAN, F. A. FLORELL. 

